McIntosh MA 230 versus modern integrated tube amps

Jsujo, I stand corrected. Uncontrolled midbass would be an effect of the output impedance of the amp (the higher the less damping) interacting with the impedance curve of the speaker, the increase in bass impedance at the woofer resonant point being much greater than the rest of the curve causing a bass hump, the voltage divider effect at work. Perhaps a better statement would be that the amp would sound best with a sympathetic load, i.e. speakers of fairly constant impedance and good self damping, otherwise exaggerated bass response may result.

BTW, is that the original, ten tube version of the TF-10 that you have, or the later eight tube version? I really miss mine since having sold it ten years ago.

Mine is the 10 tube...9 too many costwise..:-) It is the only component that I never entertain swapping.

Mine was the ten tube as well, bypassed balance pot, upgraded volume pot. That's it, the thing just sounded great, it was silver, like yours, as well. A bit of nostalia for me there.

klipsch actually mates very nicely with mac in general.

Viridian, I hear ya,...I am selling my last of 2 Berning EA-230's...great stuff..but time to move on...maybe.